Routes starting/ending in Westport

BoardsMember

Looking for suggestions on routes out of Westport. Will be down there a week before Wicklow 200 so not planning on killing myself with hills. Actually not sure what the recommendation is for training a week before an event that I would consider long/tough. Will be doing the Greenway with family but would be keep on maybe one or two early morning spins to see a different part of the area. Any ideas? Links to routes would be great if anyone has them. Thanks!

delynet

This is the route for the Westportif which takes in some great cycling country

https://connect.garmin.com/activity/544789310

or this shorter one which I did the year before

https://connect.garmin.com/activity/345286928

Final one if you want to go further afield

https://connect.garmin.com/activity/506878247

G1032

How far do you want to cycle? I'm on the phone now but can post some other routes for you later. Lally's Mountain in Tourmakeady and The Windy Gap near Castlebar are both nice climbs easily accessible from Westport.
That Westportif route posted above has some breathtaking scenery

Esroh

http://www.westportcc.ie/routes/ gives you the locals list. Plenty of options and distances.

BoardsMember

Thanks for the replies. I'm thinking about 70-80kms, need to avoid divorce while on family holiday!!

snailsong

Westport-Louisburgh-Leenane-Westport is 75 or 80 k depending if you go into Leenane village. Its well signposted so navigation is'nt an issue. Not a lot of climbing and nice scenery.

Its the shorter Westsportif route.

michael196

use the greenway for a family outing/ walk

blobbie

snailsong wrote: »

Westport-Louisburgh-Leenane-Westport is 75 or 80 k depending if you go into Leenane village. Its well signposted so navigation is'nt an issue. Not a lot of climbing and nice scenery.

Its the shorter Westsportif route.

+1 on this route - did it last year and some spectacular scenery. It's a bit exposed so would be tough in wind & rain.

BoardsMember

snailsong wrote: »

Westport-Louisburgh-Leenane-Westport is 75 or 80 k depending if you go into Leenane village. Its well signposted so navigation is'nt an issue. Not a lot of climbing and nice scenery.

Its the shorter Westsportif route.

Sounds perfect thanks

Donie75

I did the Cross Rugby Legends Mizen to Malin last September and the leg from Galway to Westport went via Leenaun and it was stunning. But the highlight of the whole week was the leg from Westport to Sligo. We went via Newport and turned right up a country road by Furnace Lake and through Neifin Beag Wilderness Park and across towards Crossmolina. There were a few tough climbs but the scenery was stunning. Here's the link to my Strava record of it https://www.strava.com/activities/197041553

BoardsMember

snailsong wrote: »

Westport-Louisburgh-Leenane-Westport is 75 or 80 k depending if you go into Leenane village. Its well signposted so navigation is'nt an issue. Not a lot of climbing and nice scenery.

Its the shorter Westsportif route.

Is the N59 the only way back from Leenane? Planning doing this tomorrow.

BoardsMember

snailsong wrote: »

Westport-Louisburgh-Leenane-Westport is 75 or 80 k depending if you go into Leenane village. Its well signposted so navigation is'nt an issue. Not a lot of climbing and nice scenery.

Its the shorter Westsportif route.

Is the N59 the only way back from Leenane? Planning doing this tomorrow.

G1032

BoardsMember wrote: »

Is the N59 the only way back from Leenane? Planning doing this tomorrow.

There is another route but it's double the length
Head out the Maam road from Leenane. 7.5km or so take a left (L1301). This will bring you up past Lough Nafooey (fab scenery) and into Tourmakeady. From there you just head back to Westport. This is 60km or so as opposed to the 30 ish km by the main road.

https://www.strava.com/routes/2470614/cue_sheet

Or if coming from Louisburgh you need not go into Leenane at all.
See the attached screenshot. Take a left at the black arrow when coming from Louisburgh.

snailsong

That route accross Sheffry is lovely but pretty hilly. Its the route taken by Gaelforce West.

Another option would be to follow the N59 towards westport and take one of the right turns signposted for Aghagower. There are three options, the first, from the Erriff valley is the best but it will add a few k. Theres some climbing too. From Aghagower its just 8k or so in to town well signposted.

In fact just checked maps there and that one is signposted for tourmakeady, its the sharp right after you cross the Erriff immediately before Eaglewood House. If you follow the Tourmakeady signs until you see Aghagower as an option youll get there. This route features almost no traffic, one tough climb and kamikazi sheep.

snailsong

Or, if you show up at the clock in town at 9 am there will be a few gathering for the club spin. Guests are generally welcome, there might be a fast long spin or a slow short one or both.

BoardsMember

Thanks all for the brilliant ideas.

Ended up doing the 80km ish rou're through Louisburgh, Leenane, back to Westport via N59. The views from 5km or so after Louisburgh are like nothing I have seen before, simply breathtaking.

it's was a battle into a nasty wind until Louisburgh, average speed was barely double figures. I left at 6.30 to get back for Greenway with the kids, nearly turned back.

Once into the lovely scenery I got the speed up and the wind wasn't as much a factor. Ended up 26km average and determined to come back and do more cycling in this part of the world.

Wrecked now, battled with kids from Newport to Mulranney into that wind, having to push the 6year old a lot of the way.